Southern and RMT to hold talks in attempt to end train strike

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/apr/27/southern-and-rmt-talks-attempt-end-train-strike

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Talks aimed at averting further strikes by Southern rail conductors are to be held on Friday.

The development emerged hours before the end of a 24-hour walkout by members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union in a dispute over the role of conductors and driver-only trains.

The strike, which ends at 11am, caused travel chaos for tens of thousands of passengers, with services across southern England cancelled or disrupted.

Two more 24-hour strikes are planned next month.

An RMT spokesman confirmed the union would be attending the talks with the company, describing it as a significant development.

The union said its members were “solidly supporting” the second day of the strike and had received backing from members of the public.

The company plans to switch responsibility for operating train doors from conductors to drivers, which the union claims is unsafe.

Southern said it ran two-thirds of services on Tuesday but warned of disruption on Wednesday.

In a letter to the union, the company said it was keen to hold consultations on the “evolution” of the role of conductors.

“However, should you decline to attend, I must advise you that we will be left with no alternative other than to conclude that consultation is completed, that you have actively decided not to engage with the company in this consultation and GTR [Govia Thameslink Railway] will therefore proceed without your input,” said the letter from Peter Evans, the head of employee relations.